gay foster kids

Sweeping WA DSHS changes could benefit LGBT&Q foster youth

Thu, 11/03/2011 - 15:26

 Seattle - With news that the Braam agreement will bring a sweeping overhaul to the Washington foster-care system, Families Like Ours, Inc. (FLO) see’s hope for LGBT&Q Washington foster youth.

Under the agreement, DSHS has until December 31, 2013 to meet 21 outcomes which include increasing safeguards to protect children from being shuffled from foster home to foster home, provide for timely medical and mental-health care and limit the number of social worker caseloads.

“Actually this isn’t new, changes as a result of the Braam lawsuit started in 2004. With our work with the foster care system, we have seen some positive changes as a result. We hope that those changes continue but we fear that under the current budget constraints it will be a challenge,” says David Wing-Kovarik Executive Director of Families Like Ours located in Seattle.

FLO SAFE project for LGBT&Q foster youth

No single agency, program or state can reach the goal of providing a home for every at-risk youth without strategic partnerships. Families Like Ours was built on just that premise starting with the most important partner – family. The promise of Families Like Ours is our steadfast resolve to break down the barriers that prevent good, solid individuals from becoming a family for an at-risk youth. 

But it isn't just families we can help. Since 2004 FLO has been actively used in child specific recruitment, education and support of foster and adoptive families for LGBT&Q foster youth needing permanency.
 
These are not just teenagers were talking about but children from 5 – 17 years old that need welcoming, affirming families.
 
We need all the help we can get for these kids. In Washington State alone 14.5% of of current foster youth are self identifying as LGBT&Q (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning). On any given day there are between 9,700 – 12,000 foster you in Washington. That means as many as 1,700 LGBT&Q kids are at-risk and need your help!
 
Our SAFE LGBT&Q youth and family project provides direct and indirect family recruitment, support, education, case consulting and resource management mainly for Washington State LGBT&Q foster youth (if you're outside the state of WA, we may be able to help you as well).
 

How can you take action to help an LGBT&Q foster youth? 

Become a Welcoming Professional & Office

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 14:49

First, let's get some basics out of the way. When working with an LGBT&Q youth, it isn't about sex it is about the individual. We're also not talking about just teens, but kids from 5 – 17 years of age; yes we said as young as five years old. 

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